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af2 week seven Saturday night matchups

May 12, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PIONEERS (5-0) AT MAHONING VALLEY THUNDER (3-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007 - Chevrolet Centre (5,700) 7:00 P.M. ET

The No. 1-ranked Pioneers head to Youngstown, Ohio for their first-ever meeting with new East Division foe Mahoning Valley. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is coming off a Week 6 home win against Manchester, 59-42. QB RYAN VENA threw four TDs and ran for two more in the victory. WR JIM JONES had a strong outing as well with 12 catches for 156 yards and four TDs (all-season highs). Defensively, the Pioneers forced three turnovers (2 INTs, 1 FR) and DB CHRIS ROYAL had a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown. Vena is in the midst of another impressive season with 29 TD passes without an interception. He leads the league in QB rating at 133.8 and completion percentage (70.9). Royal is the team's top playmaker in the secondary with 36.5 tackles, three interceptions and 11 pass breakups. DL ROB HARDING is W-B/Scranton's top sack man (3.0). Mahoning Valley (No. 11 in Coaches Poll) is coming off two straight losses. The Thunder's most recent result was a 52-34 home loss to Louisville. They will try and rebound in Week 7, but it won't be easy against the powerful Pioneers. QB GLEN GAUNTT is the team's offensive leader with 27 TDs. If he stays comfortable in the pocket, Mahoning Valley is a much better ball club. WR CHRIS ARCHIE leads a solid receiving corps with 43 catches for 504 yards and 11 TDs. The Thunder also acquired another standout wideout this week in CHRIS JOHNSON. Johnson was with the AFL's Georgia Force earlier this year. In his last af2 action, Johnson caught 113 passes for 1,493 yards and 31 TDs in 2005 with Macon. Mahoning Valley's defense is keyed by DBs MARIO BUTLER (team-high 32.0 tackles) and MAURICE TAYLOR (3 INTs) in the secondary and OL/DL ANTON CEASAR (5.0 sacks) up front. After back-to-back 18-point defeats, the Thunder will be charged up this week, especially with the top-ranked Pioneers in town. W-B/Scranton, however, has been solid all season, and if Vena continues his stellar play, the Pioneers will be tough to take down.

W-B/SCRANTON MAHONING VALLEY SERIES LEADER First Meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 5-0 3-2

LAST GAME Won 59-42 vs. Manchester on 5/4 Lost 34-52 vs. Louisville on 5/5

2007 LEADERS W-B/SCRANTON MAHONING VALLEY PASSING Vena: 107-151-0; 1198; 29 TDs Gauntt: 116-197-7; 1274; 27 TDs

RECEIVING Jones: 42-476; 10 TDs Archie: 43-504; 11 TDs

RUSHING Glover: 12-41; 2 TD Murphy: 14-97; 3 TDs

TACKLES Royal: 36.5 Butler: 32.0

SACKS Harding: 3.0 Ceasar: 5.0

INTERCEPTIONS Royal: 3 Taylor: 3

KICKING Davis: 39-42 PAT; 4-7 FG; 51 PTs Schorejs: 24-31 PAT; 1-6 FG; 27 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 62.6 PPG; 253.2 YPG 49.8 PPG; 274.8 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 36.4 PPG; 277.6 YPG 47.6 PPG; 253.8 YPG

TENNESEE VALLEY VIPERS (3-2) AT CINCINNATI JUNGLE KATS (1-4)

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007 - U.S. Bank Arena (8,911) 7:30 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

The Vipers head to Cincinnati this week to tangle with the Jungle Kats in the first-ever meeting between these two teams. Tennessee Valley cracked the Top-16 this week after a 26-21 home win against Green Bay last Friday. The Vipers, currently ranked No. 15, earned the victory thanks to the defensive efforts of DL FAROUK ADELEKAN and DB CARLOS CAMPBELL. Adelekan tormented the Blizzard with 5.0 total tackles (all solo), three tackles for loss, three sacks for 23 yards, and three forced fumbles. He also recovered two of the three fumbles he forced and had five quarterback hurries. He earned the ADT Defensive Player of the Week Award for his performance. Campbell had 5.0 tackles and two interceptions. On offense, QB TONY COLSTON has completed 88-of-154 passes for 809 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions on the season. The team's top playmaker has been former Ole Miss standout TRAVIS BLANCHARD, who has 39 receptions for 436 yards and three touchdowns and has returned a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns. The Vipers are led defensively by former USC LB John Cousins, who has 19 tackles, an interception and three fumble recoveries, and Campbell, who has a team-high three interceptions and 18.5 tackles. Cincinnati broke into the win column for the first time this season, 35-32, last week at home against Fort Wayne. QB BRENT RAWLS assumed command of the team and showed enough promise to likely earn another start on Saturday. He threw for 194 yards, three TDs and two interceptions. In short yardage situations or goal-line plays, the Jungle Kats can also call on backup QB KELVIN ROBINSON to utilize his fleet feet. Robinson has three rushing TDs on the season. WR DERIN GRAHAM is the team's top receiver with 39 catches for 427 yards and seven TDs. Defensively, DB DESMOND WASHINGTON is the team's top tackler with 35.5 total stops. Cincinnati's troubles have come from turnovers. They lead the af2 in giveaways with 24 (14 fumbles, 10 INTs) and rank last in the league in turnover margin at minus-18. The Jungle Kats will need to take care of the ball and protect Rawls against a lethal Vipers defense in order to keep things close. If they do that, this game may go down to the final moments.

TENNESSEE VALLEY CINCINNATI SERIES LEADER First Meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 1-4

LAST GAME Won 26-21 vs. Green Bay on 5/4 Won 35-32 vs. Fort Wayne on 5/5

2007 LEADERS TENNESSEE VALLEY CINCINNATI PASSING Colston: 88-154-7; 809; 14 TDs Eviston: 42-65-2; 544; 9 TDs

RECEIVING Blanchard: 39-436; 3 TDs Graham: 39-427; 7 TDs

RUSHING Isaiah: 6-21; 0 TD Robinson: 7-41; 3 TDs

TACKLES Graham: 24.5 Washington: 35.5

SACKS Adelekan and Andriano: 3.5 Neely and Jackson: 3.0

INTERCEPTIONS Campbell: 3 Washington and Mainor: 1

KICKING Lee: 11-19 PAT; 2-13 FG; 17 PTs Obert: 14-16 PAT; 1-10 FG; 17 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 37.0 PPG; 173.4 YPG 31.0 PPG; 241.6 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 42.2 PPG; 230.8 YPG 64.4 PPG; 289.0 YPG

FLORIDA FIRECATS (4-2) AT SOUTH GEORGIA WILDCATS (3-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007 - Albany Civic Center (8,034) 7:30 P.M. ET

The Firecats head to Albany again this week, but not Albany, N.Y., Albany, Ga., where they will tackle an improved South Georgia team. This should be a great Week 7 battle between these South Division foes. Florida, currently ranked No. 6 in the latest Coaches Poll, is 3-0 on the road and 0-2 at home. The Wildcats, on the other hand, are ranked No. 8 and are 3-0 at home and 0-2 on the road. The Firecats are coming off a hard-fought, 56-51, victory in Week 6 at Albany. In that contest, QB CHRIS WALLACE was sharp, completing 18-of-24 passes for 262 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception. MAGIC BENTON also had a memorable performance with seven catches for 102 yards and three touchdowns as the seven-year veteran receiver become the first player in af2 history to score 900 points. LB ALFRED PETERSON had 7.5 tackles and 2.0 sacks to pace the defense. On the season, Wallace leads the league in TD passes with 36. Benton leads the league in receiving yards (654) and ranks third in receptions (48) and fourth in touchdown receptions (12). As strong as Florida's offense may be, the team's real strength lies in its defense, which ranks second in the af2 in points per game allowed (36.2). DBs LEVY BROWN and BRENT BURNSIDE anchor the team's secondary, while the big men up front are bolstered by KEITH DRAYTON and Peterson. Brown leads the af2 in tackles with 48 and is tied for first with six interceptions. Burnside is among the league leaders with four interceptions. Drayton is second in the af2 in sacks with 5.5. Peterson's 5.5 tackles for loss rank seventh overall in the af2. Florida's defense has forced 20 turnovers in 2007, a total which is tied with Quad City for the most in the af2. South Georgia is looking to rebound from a tough 45-42 road loss to Rio Grande Valley last Saturday. QB D. BRYANT was pressured by the Dorados defense into his first sub-par showing of the season. He completed just 50 percent of his passes (17-of-34) and threw three touchdowns with two interceptions. WR CHAVIS MCCOLLISTER looks to be as healthy as advertised, catching 11 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown. He also scored on a 29-yard yard run. DB MATT JACKSON recorded 2.5 tackles and one interception in his first action with South Georgia. On the season, BRYANT has been the catalyst for the Wildcats explosive offense, which averages 56.8 points per game (5th in af2). He ranks among the league leaders with 28 TD passes. McCollister leads a talented group of receivers with 39 catches for nearly 400 yards and six scores. On defense, LB JAMES HARRIS is the team's top tackler with 23.0 total stops. DB DARYON BRUTLEY has three interceptions and 20.5 tackles. The Wildcats also had another huge addition on defense this week who is a familiar fact to the Firecats, former Florida DB CORY BAILEY. Bailey posted an af2-high 117.5 total tackles in 2006 with the Firecats and was a First Team All-af2 performer. This contest, one of the best head-to-head matchups of the week, looks too close to call.

FLORIDA SOUTH GEORGIA SERIES LEADER Florida leads 6-3

LAST MEETING Florida won 46-40 at South Ga. on 7/29/06

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Won 56-51 at Albany on 5/5 Lost 42-45 at Rio Gr. Valley on 5/5

2007 LEADERS FLORIDA SOUTH GEORGIA PASSING Wallace: 126-204-4; 1581; 36 TDs Bryant: 94-152-5; 1262; 28 TDs

RECEIVING Benton: 48-654; 12 TDs McCollister: 39-397; 6 TDs

RUSHING Morant: 25-66; 1 TD Lloyd: 24-75; 6 TDs

TACKLES Brown: 48.0 Harris: 23.0

SACKS Drayton: 5.5 Three players tied: 2.0

INTERCEPTIONS Brown: 6 Brutley: 3

KICKING Eminger: 20-26 PAT; 0-2 FG; 20 PTs Yoon: 26-41 PAT; 0-2 FG; 26 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 50.0 PPG; 285.8 YPG 56.8 PPG; 302.6 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 36.2 PPG; 212.8 YPG 45.6 PPG; 271.0 YPG

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT BATTLE WINGS (5-0) AT ARKANSAS TWISTERS (4-1)

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007 - ALLTEL Arena (16,058) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Battle Wings travel to Arkansas to face off against the Twisters for the first time in 2007 in one of the marquee matchups of the week in af2. Bossier-Shreveport, ranked No. 3 in the Coaches Poll, is off to its best start in team history. After a slow start in Week 6 on the road at Corpus Christi, the Battle Wings finished strong, outscoring the Sharks 40-13 over the final quarter and a half. QB QUINCY CARTER, is among the af2 leaders with 30 touchdown tosses on the season, finished with six TD passes and 261 yards on 15-of-24 attempts. WR JAMAAL PERRY had five catches for 92 yards and two scores. DB KENNETH WILLIAMS stood out on defense with 9.5 tackles and two fumble recoveries, including one which he returned 35 yards for a touchdown. DE ELEX REED also played a factor on defense with 3.0 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble. The rookie leads the af2 in sacks with 8.5 on the season. The Battle Wings own the league's stingiest defense, allowing their opponents just 34.4 points per contest. Arkansas and Bossier-Shreveport are equally strong on offense as they are both tied for the third-highest scoring average in the league at 59.4 points per game. Bossier-Shreveport, however, has only faced one team so far with a winning record, Rio Grande Valley. The Battle Wings first five opponents have a combined record of 7-19. The Twisters have also had a soft schedule. Their opponents prior to this week have a combined record of 6-19. After a season-opening loss at South Georgia, Arkansas has won four straight games. The team's most recent result was a 59-33 road win against Laredo last Saturday. QB BRIAN VILLANEUVA accounted for eight touchdowns (seven TD passes, one rush TD) in the victory. Helping his cause was WR JON SCHOONOVER with nine catches for 158 yards and four TDs. Defensively, JASON SIMPSON registered a game-high 11.0 tackles and DL COLBY CLARK recorded two sacks. Villaneuva has thrown 26 TD passes on the season against six interceptions. Aside from Schoonover, the Twisters are fortunate to have a number of other playmakers at the receiver position, including ERRICK MCCOWN, ROBERT KILOW and KEVIN WILLIAMS, all of whom have at least five touchdown catches each. Another offensive weapon for Arkansas is FB TERRENCE FREENEY, who leads the af2 in rushing yards (180). The team is keyed on defense by DBs PIERRE THOMAS (27.5 tackles, 4 INTs), Simpson (36.0 tackles, 3 INTs) and Williams (13.0 tackles, 3 INTs) in the secondary. LB REGGIE COOLEY (6.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks) has made an impact for the team up front. If Arkansas can protect Villaneuva, the Twisters will make this an interesting contest. It could very well come down to the final moments.

BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT ARKANSAS SERIES LEADER Arkansas leads 8-2

LAST MEETING Arkansas won 55-29 on 6/3/06

LAST FIVE GAMES 5-0 4-1

LAST GAME Won 62-27 at Corpus Christi on 5/5 Won 59-33 at Laredo on 5/5

2007 LEADERS BOSSIER-SHREVEPORT ARKANSAS PASSING Carter: 97-151-3; 1324; 30 TDs Villaneuva: 91-141-6; 1201; 26 TDs

RECEIVING Perry: 40-491; 10 TDs Schoonover: 34-522; 9 TDs

RUSHING Schule: 19-147; 5 TDs Freeney: 27-180; 3 TDs

TACKLES Williams: 36.0 Simpson: 36.0

SACKS Reed: 8.5 Cooley: 3.5

INTERCEPTIONS Walker: 5 Thomas: 4

KICKING Hazelwood: 33-40 PAT; 6-7 FG; 51 PTs Carlton: 30-43 PAT; 1-6 FG; 33 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 59.4 PPG; 300.0 YPG 59.4 PPG; 286.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 34.4 PPG; 244.0 YPG 40.4 PPG; 240.0 YPG

QUAD CITY STEAMWHEELERS (3-2) AT ALABAMA STEELDOGS (3-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007 - Birmingham Jefferson Civic Complex (16,000) 8:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

After a week off to blow off steam from losing in Week 5 at Green Bay, Quad City returns to action on Saturday and faces a tough road challenge in the Alabama Steeldogs. The Steamwheelers, who started the season 3-0, have dropped their last two contests. Their most recent contest was a 44-14 loss to the Blizzard. It was Quad City's lowest single game output of the season and lowest since 2004. Despite their scoring troubles in Week 5, the Steamwheelers offense is still averaging 52.2 points per game. QB J.J. RATERINK has thrown for 19 TDs on the season with three interceptions. WR KRIS PETERS, Raterink's favorite target, has 41 catches for 568 yards and 10 TDs. FB/LB JERMAINE PETTY has been a factor on both offense (7 rushing TDs) and defense (5.0 sacks). DB KEVIN ADAMS leads the team in tackles (31.5), interceptions (5) and pass breakups (8). Quad City is currently ranked No 12 in the latest Coaches Poll. Alabama is right behind the Steamwheelers at the No. 13 position. The Steeldogs, winners of three of their last four games, are coming off a 58-27 win over Texas in Week 6. Rookie QB MITCH TANNEY earned his first win in his second game as Alabama's starting signal caller. Tanney threw for 283 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception in the victory. His top target was WR BRADLY CHAVEZ, who caught 10 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. WR MARKEITH COOPER, who leads the team in receiving (27 catches, 359 yards, 4 TDs), also contributed five catches for 96 yards and one score. Defensively, OL/DL ERIC SCOTT led the squad with four tackles, two sacks and once forced fumble. Tanney has thrown for 19 touchdowns on the year with just one interception. DB RONALD DILLON is the team leader in tackles (25.5) and interceptions (2). Saturday night's game will mark just the second time these two teams, who are original members of the af2, have matched up against one another. This should be another entertaining game on the Week 7 slate.

QUAD CITY ALABAMA SERIES LEADER Quad City leads 1-0

LAST MEETING Quad City 56 won 56-22 on 7/10/04

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Lost 44-14 at Green Bay on 4/27 Won 58-27 vs. Texas on 5/3

2007 LEADERS QUAD CITY ALABAMA PASSING Raterink: 98-156-3; 1098; 19 TDs Tanney: 55-87-1; 694; 19 TDs

RECEIVING Peters: 41-568; 10 TDs Cooper: 27-359; 4 TDs

RUSHING Petty: 19-53; 7 TDs Browning: 18-59; 4 TDs

TACKLES Adams: 31.5 Dillon: 25.5

SACKS Petty: 5.0 Scott: 2.0

INTERCEPTIONS Adams: 5 Dillon: 2

KICKING Naehu: 27-35 PAT; 0-4 FG; 27 PTs Hayes: 25-33 PAT; 3-10 FG; 34 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 52.2 PPG; 279.2 YPG 47.6 PPG; 243.2 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 42.2 PPG; 298.0 YPG 45.8 PPG; 282.6 YPG

BAKERSFIELD BLITZ (3-2) AT SPOKANE SHOCK (3-2)

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007 - Spokane Arena (10,653) 8:00 P.M. ET

* Broadcast via B2 Networks

The Blitz are looking to get back on track this week, but trying to find the way on the road at Spokane is no easy task. Bakersfield is coming off two straight losses after opening the year with three consecutive wins. The Blitz' most recent result was a 69-55 home loss to the expansion Boise Burn. Leading at halftime 42-26, Bakersfield managed just 13 points in the second half while giving up 43. The Blitz gave newly acquired QB DENNIS GILE his first start under center, and he played fairly well in the contest, throwing for nearly 300 yards and producing seven total touchdowns (5 TD passes, 2 TD rushes). WR RENNARD REYNOLDS, who leads the squad in receiving (34-509-12 TDs), also paced Bakersfield against the Burn with nine catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, DB NATHAN MUNSON had 4.0 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble. Munson has a team-high five interceptions in 2007. The Blitz have 11 interceptions as a team, a total that ranks them tied for third overall in the af2. Bakersfield also ranks in the Top-5 in the league standings in sacks with 15. The Blitz are currently ranked No. 9 in the Coaches Poll. Spokane, coming off a bye in Week 6, is currently ranked right behind Bakersfield at No. 10 in the Coaches Poll. The Shock have won two straight games and are currently 2-1 at home in 2007. Their most recent result was a 58-55 win at Stockton in Week 5. QB ANDRICO HINES has shook off a slow start and played solid football over the past three games, throwing 14 touchdowns without an interception. His two top targets on offense have been veteran WRs ANTWONE SAVAGE (42 catches, 531 yards, 14 TDs) and RAUL VIJIL (34 catches, 415 yards, 7 TDs). Savage is tied for league lead in scoring with 90 points and is tied for the af2's top ranking in receiving scores with 14. Spokane also has a good rusher in FB BEN BROWN, who is among the af2's elite in rushing TDs with seven on the season. Head Coach ADAM SHACKLEFORD's offense ranks seventh in the league in scoring at nearly 55 points per game (54.6). On the other side of the ball, the team's best offense is a good Keefe-ense, as in DB ROB KEEFE. The veteran leads the squad in interceptions (4) and is second in pass breakups (6) and third in tackles (21.5). MARK LEDBETTER is the Shock's top lineman with 4.0 tackles for loss. The Shock aren't unbeatable at home, but with over 10,000 dedicated fans at every game, Spokane is always extra tough. If the Blitz get off to another strong start and limit their mistakes, then they should keep things close. This West Division battle is going to be intense from start to finish.

BAKERSFIELD SPOKANE SERIES LEADER Spokane leads 2-1

LAST MEETING Spokane won 50-47 on 8/12/06

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Lost 55-69 vs. Boise on 5/5 Won 58-55 at Stockton on 4/28

2007 LEADERS BAKERSFIELD SPOKANE PASSING Elliott: 65-120-5; 761; 15 TDs Hines: 110-161-5; 1165; 20 TDs

RECEIVING Reynolds: 34-509; 12 TDs Savage: 42-531; 14 TDs

RUSHING Petty: 9-29; 1 TD Brown: 16-43; 7 TDs

TACKLES Munson: 21.5 Rogers and Teems: 22.0

SACKS Three players tied: 3.5 Four players tied: 1.0

INTERCEPTIONS Munson: 5 Keefe: 4

KICKING Baker: 14-20 PAT; 3-4 FG; 23 PTs Koker: 27-35 PAT; 2-5 FG; 33 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 49.6 PPG; 261.0 YPG 54.6 PPG; 280.8 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 53.8 PPG; 270.8 YPG 47.8 PPG; 257.0 YPG

LUBBOCK RENEGADES (2-3) AT TULSA TALONS (5-0)

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007 - Tulsa Convention Center (7,111) 8:00 P.M. ET

The Renegades, winners of two straight, travel to Tulsa for their first meeting with the undefeated Talons. Lubbock's most recent result was a 55-52 home win against Amarillo. K CHRIS BALSEIRO was the hero as he drilled a 46-yard field goal as time expired. Balseiro was 7-of-7 on extra points and 2-of-3 on field goals in his first action for Lubbock. The Renegades are led on offense by QB ROBERT KENT, who has been a catalyst to the team's recent success. Kent, who has started the last two games under center, leads the team in rushing (78 yards, 3 TDs) and passing (403 yards, 10 TDs). Rookie ALVANCE ROBINSON is the team's top receiver with 22 catches for 284 yards and four scores. On the defensive side, WR/LB PRESTON HARTFIELD is Lubbock's top tackler with 23.5 stops. Hartfield is also tied with DL KENYON SCOTT in tackles for loss with 4.5. Scott will not be with the team this week, however, so that he may attend a minicamp tryout with the NFL's Buffalo Bills. His presence will be missed. Tulsa, currently ranked No. 2 in the Coaches Poll, has looked strong in the early season. Through five games, the Talons are averaging a league-high 65.4 points per game. Their lowest output was a 57-points showing in Week 5. Tulsa is coming off a 64-54 road victory against fierce in-state rival Oklahoma City. QB JOSH BLANKENSHIP continued his solid play with five TD passes and two touchdown runs. His go-to receivers include DONOVAN MORGAN, ANDRE FORDE, and JEFF HUGHLEY. Morgan leads the group with 35 catches for 391 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, DBs DELENELL REID and JERMAINE HOPE are the team's top cover men, while DL C.J. MCCLAIN brings the rush up front. Reid leads the Talons in tackles with 28.5. Hope has a team-high 10 pass breakups. Tulsa's defense, which allows just 41.2 points per game, has also been a strong suit for the team. Lubbock will need to be near perfect to stay with Tulsa, especially on the Talons' home turf.

LUBBOCK TULSA SERIES LEADER First Meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 5-0

LAST GAME Won 55-52 vs. Amarillo on 5/5 Won 64-54 at Oklahoma City on 5/5

2007 LEADERS LUBBOCK TULSA PASSING Kent: 27-65-3; 403; 10 TDs Blankenship: 97-164-4; 1189; 30 TDs

RECEIVING Robinson: 22-284; 4 TDs Morgan: 35-391; 9 TDs

RUSHING Kent: 14-78; 3 TDs Shack: 13-36; 2 TDs

TACKLES Hartfield: 23.5 Reid: 28.5

SACKS Scott: 4.0 Carter: 1.5

INTERCEPTIONS McCoy: 3 Three players tied: 2

KICKING Balseiro: 7-7 PAT; 2-3 FG; 13 PTs Phillips: 40-44 PAT; 5-5 FG; 55 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 44.0 PPG; 241.2 YPG 65.4 PPG; 251.0 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 50.8 PPG; 208.4 YPG 41.2 PPG; 235.2 YPG

OKLAHOMA CITY YARD DAWGZ (2-3) AT AMARILLO DUSTERS (1-4)

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007 - Amarillo Civic Center (4,870) 8:30 P.M. ET

After a tough home loss to Tulsa last week, the Yard Dawgz hit the road for a Central Division battle at Amarillo. Oklahoma City owns a 3-2 advantage over the Dusters in five career head-to-head meetings. The Yard Dawgz, despite their current 2-3 standing, are ranked No. 16 overall in the latest Coaches Poll. In last week's 64-54 loss to the Talons, QB STAN HILL threw for 269 yards and five touchdowns, but also gifted two costly interceptions to Tulsa. Despite the result, Hill has been steady under center for Oklahoma City, throwing 24 TDs on the season. His main receivers have been DANNY HOWARD and AL HUNT. Hunt had his best offensive game of 2007 against Tulsa with six catches for 131 yards and four TDs. Howard leads the team with 41 catches for 575 yards and 10 TDs. On the defensive side, DB JON HOLLAND ranks second in the af2 in tackles with 44.0 total stops. FB/LB DARNELL SMALL is another player who should make an impact for Oklahoma City. Small saw his first action of the year against the Talons and 1.5 tackles, including one for loss. He also had two rushing TDs in his 2007 debut. Amarillo, after winning its season opener, has lost its last four. The first loss wasn't close, but the last three were. The Dusters have lost by eight, three, and three points, respectively in their last three games. QB STEVE PANELLA (17 TD passes, af2-high 8 rushing TDs) and rookie WR STEVE BERGESKI (39 catches, 593 yards, 11 TDs) have stood out for the Amarillo offense. On defense, JAHMAL FENNER (18.0 tackles), AARON WILLIAMS (4 INTs) and TERRELL MINGO (3 INTs, 8 PBUs) are Amarillo's top playmakers. This contest is another close call.

OKLAHOMA CITY AMARILLO SERIES LEADER Oklahoma leads 3-2

LAST MEETING Amarillo won at Okla. City 58-56 on 4/29

LAST FIVE GAMES 2-3 1-4

LAST GAME Lost 54-64 vs. Tulsa on 5/5 Lost 52-55 at Lubbock on 5/5

2007 LEADERS OKLAHOMA CITY AMARILLO PASSING Hill: 103-163-7; 1366; 24 TDs Panella: 87-167-3; 1108; 17 TDs

RECEIVING Howard: 41-575; 10 TDs Bergeski: 39-583; 11 TDs

RUSHING Howard: 3-33; 1 TD Panella: 24-81; 8 TDs

TACKLES Holland: 44.0 Fenner: 18.0

SACKS Allen: 3.0 Three players tied: 1.0

INTERCEPTIONS LeBlanc: 2 Williams: 4

KICKING Belmonte: 29-34 PAT; 2-6 FG; 35 PTs Felton: 31-34 PAT; 4-6 FG; 43 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 51.4 PPG; 329.6 YPG 49.4 PPG; 228.2 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 50.0 PPG; 239.6 YPG 51.8 PPG; 259.2 YPG

BOISE BURN (4-1) AT CENTRAL VALLEY COYOTES (2-3)

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007 - Selland Arena (5,487) 10:00 P.M. ET

The Burn are making their second trip to California in as many weeks. On Saturday, Boise will tackle Central Valley at Selland Arena in Fresno. The Burn, who improved to 4-1 after a win last Saturday at Bakersfield, jumped up to No. 4 in the Coaches Poll - their highest ranking to date. In Boise's Week 6 road win, QB BART HENDRICKS had his best outing of 2007, throwing a career-high nine touchdowns. Six of his nine scores came in the second half as the Burn caught fire and scored 40 points in the final 30 minutes of play. His main weapon was WR AHMAD HARRIS, who caught seven passes for 174 yards and four touchdowns. CASEY ALLEN is the team's leading receiver with 38 catches for 392 yards and 10 scores. Boise's offense averages 56.4 points per contest (sixth in af2). Defensively, DB SULLIVAN BEARD is the team's top tackler with 33.0 stops and is tied for top spot on the squad with three interceptions. The Central Valley Coyotes have battled a bit of inconsistency in the early going. The Coyotes have been close, however, as their three losses have been by a combined 10 points. The team's most recent result was a 43-41 loss at Everett, the same team the Coyotes throttled at home in Week 2, 74-31. Central Valley is led on offense by rookie QB CLAY GROEFSEMA. Groefsema has been a pleasant surprise with 28 TD passes and four rushing TDs. He entered Week 7 ranked fourth overall in total touchdowns with 32. Groefsema's go-to-guy has been WR JASON BARNES, another rookie. Barnes is tied for the af2 scoring lead with 90 points. He is also tied for third in receiving TDs with 13. Veteran DL DOUG LANGENFELD leads the team in sacks with 4.0. DB AARON MILLER has also been a factor in the secondary with 12 pass breakups and an interception. Central Valley is 2-1 at home so far in 2007. If the Coyotes take care of the football and buckle down on defense, they have a chance to turn down the Burn. Boise, however, has been hot of late and the team's young talent has progressed faster than expected. Expect this game to be a high-scoring affair. Whichever team is more opportunistic on defense and efficient on offense will likely come away victorious.

BOISE CENTRAL VALLEY SERIES LEADER First Meeting

LAST MEETING No previous meeting

LAST FIVE GAMES 4-1 2-3

LAST GAME Won 69-55 at Bakersfield on 5/5 Lost 41-43 at Everett on 5/6

2007 LEADERS BOISE CENTRAL VALLEY PASSING Hendricks: 90-145-6; 1096; 23 TDs Groefsema: 109-173-5; 1205; 28 TDs

RECEIVING Allen: 38-392; 10 TDs Barnes: 44-473; 13 TDs

RUSHING Beardall, De.: 11-26; 2 TDs Groefsema: 8-38; 4 TDs

TACKLES Beard: 33.0 Sams: 20.0

SACKS Bruhn, T. and Madarieta: 1.0 Langenfeld: 4.0

INTERCEPTIONS Beard and Bruhn, T: 3 Three players tied: 1

KICKING Beardall, Da.: 26-35 PAT;4-4FG; 38 PTs Pearson: 17-21 PAT; 1-5 FG; 20 PTs

TEAM OFFENSE 56.4 PPG; 244.6 YPG 53.4 PPG; 262.6 YPG

TEAM DEFENSE 49.6 PPG; 304.8 YPG 43.0 PPG; 246.0 YPG

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